VR Tech Times

Hyundai has launched the updated Verna in India. Though the launch itself was rather unceremonious, the 2026 Verna addresses a lot of complaints that the pre-facelift model accrued. However, Hyundai has missed out on some opportunities for the Verna facelift, and even deleted a few features. Below, we've outlined everything the 2026 Hyundai Verna gets right, and the areas where there's scope for improvement. Exterior design Hits Among the most lambasted aspects of the pre-facelift Verna was its fascia, which featured a full-width LED light bar up top, below which sat the main headlight units and a wide grille. The Verna facelift sports a fully redesigned front bumper that lends it a mini Sonata look, replete with Y-shaped elements, a hexagonal grille, and larger headlight clusters; the headlights themselves have been upgraded to dual-projector LEDs. Those who are fans of the Sonata's design will likely take to the updated Verna's fascia much better. Other st...

TVS offers the Apache RTR 160 4V in eight variants with prices ranging from Rs 1.16 lakh to Rs 1.37 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Considering the expansive variant list, choosing the right one can quickly get confusing for prospective buyers. To make the decision easier, here’s a feature breakdown of each variant. Irrespective of the variant, the powertrain remains the same. The motorcycle continues to be powered by a 159.7cc, single-cylinder, oil-cooled engine that produces 17.5hp and 14.7Nm, paired with a five-speed gearbox. Drum  Rs 1.16 lakh The Drum variant is the most affordable version in the lineup, priced at Rs 1.16 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). As the name suggests, it features drum brakes at both ends, making it the most basic configuration in the range. RM Disc (Black Edition)  Rs 1.18 lakh The RM Disc (Black Edition) sits above the drum variant and is priced at Rs 1.18 lakh. It adds a front disc brake with single-channel ABS, along with an all-black theme that g...

Suzuki has revealed a special Katana Limited Edition - hereafter referred to as Katana LE - for the German market and this version is limited to just 45 units. Suzuki has sprinkled in some goodies - both mechanical and visual - to spice up the overall Katana package. Katana LE makes 152hp and 106Nm from K5-derived four-cyl motor Gets an Akrapovic slip-on muffler and some cosmetic enhancements Costs more than the standard bike Suzuki Katana LE details It is mechanically identical to the standard Katana Visually, the silhouette of the Katana LE is identical to the standard bike but it comes in a slightly different paint shade - silver bodywork with bright bronze wheels. The tail section is finished in black here as opposed to the standard bike, where it is body-coloured. With the LE you also get a sticker denoting the number of your particular bike, frame sliders, a carbon-look tank pad, a garage mat with the Katana logo and a book tracing the genesis of the model all the way t...

Inside, the Mercedes-Benz VLE can be configured with five to eight seats. The seats can also be removed completely, freeing up to 4,078 litres of luggage space. Interestingly, the seats come with rollers, so they can be wheeled around instead of being carried when taken out. Mercedes will offer three types of rear seats: a manually adjustable Comfort Seat, an electrically adjustable Premium Comfort Seat and a top-spec Grand Comfort Seat. The Grand Comfort Seat adds features such as a pillow, wireless charging, lumbar support and a massage function. Rear passengers can also get fold-out tables, while buyers can alternatively choose a three-seat bench at the back with either manual or electric adjustment. from Autocar India https://ift.tt/DAGxBLO

Mercedes-Benz on Tuesday unveiled the all-electric VLE, which is the production version of the Vision V concept. Essentially a van equivalent of the E-Class sedan, the VLE will slot below the more opulent and range-topping VLS, likely to debut later this year. Both standard and long-wheelbase models will be on offer, and in addition to the standard VLE, buyers would be able to pick between AMG Line, AMG Line Plus and Exclusive versions. Mercedes VLE interior and features Inside, the VLE offers an eight-seat layout that can be configured in multiple ways. The electric seats can be adjusted through the touchscreen or even via a smartphone app. The centre console includes a compartment that can keep beverages warm or cold, and it also offers UV disinfection. The dashboard features the brand’s Superscreen setup, which combines the driver’s display, central touchscreen and a passenger screen across the width of the dash.  A large 31.3-inch retractable screen with the Mercedes-Benz...

Mercedes-Benz has expanded the upcoming CLA electric lineup for India with the addition of a new CLA 200 ‘Standard Range’ variant. The model will join the CLA 250+ ‘Long Range’ version and is set to launch in India next month, with bookings for both variants now open. Customers are required to pay Rs 1.5 lakh to reserve the sedan. Deliveries for the CLA 250+ Long Range are expected to begin by the end of April 2026, while the CLA 200 Standard Range will start reaching customers from June 2026. New CLA 200 Standard Range offers 542km WLTP range Fast charging adds up to 320km in 20 minutes on CLA 200 Tentative prices: Rs 55 lakh (CLA 200) and Rs 59 lakh (CLA 250+) from Autocar India https://ift.tt/TxJurI2

In order to curb unprofitable expenses, Porsche may merge the Panamera and Taycan nameplates into a single model, be it combustion-powered or fully electric, with brand boss Michael Leiters aiming to trim unnecessary expenses, Autocar UK stated. The German automaker already follows a similar strategy with the Macan and Cayenne SUVs, wherein the model names are kept the same regardless of their powertrain type. Consolidation could lower costs and production complexities Platform development delays have already cost Porsche €1.8 billion Porsche Panamera and Taycan likely to become one model This merger could allow Porsche to optimise the utilisation of resources The current-gen Panamera uses Porsche’s Modular Standard Drivetrain (MSB) platform, while the Taycan sits atop the 800-volt J1 platform. Furthermore, the Stuttgart-based marque already has the new Porsche Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture that is expected to underpin the next-gen Panamera sometime befor...

We earlier covered the base model of the Ather Rizta - the S variant - that is the most affordable way into the Ather range. In this story, we focus on the higher ‘Z’ variant that comes with the smaller 2.9kWh battery pack but gets a few additional features. 1. What is the peak output of the Ather Rizta Z 2.9kWh? The Rizta Z variant comes with a peak power of 4.3kWh and peak torque of 22Nm. This is good enough to get the Rizta up to its top-speed of 80kph in Zip mode. The peak output and top-speed remains the same irrespective of the variant and battery-pack. 2. What features does the Ather Rizta Z variant get over the S variant? The S variant sticks to the basics and gives you features such as a segmented colour-LCD dash offering basic Bluetooth connectivity navigated via the 4-way joystick. The Z variant gets a touch-operated 7-inch colour TFT dash in place of the LCD that unlocks a whole host of features. It gets Google Maps navigation, WhatsApp message previews, document sto...

from Autocar India https://ift.tt/zvei8yS

The new Lexus ES is slated to go on sale in India in the coming weeks. This eight-gen model was revealed globally in April 2025, and will rival the Mercedes-Benz E-Class , BMW 5 Series LWB , and Audi A6 in the Indian market. Below, we’ve laid out everything you need to know about the new ES. What is the new Lexus ES India launch date and price estimate? Launching on March 20 Lexus will launch the new ES in India on Friday, March 20. Like the existing ES , the new-gen model may be sold via the CKD (completely knocked down) route to keep prices competitive. Speaking of which, the new ES price could start at around Rs 68 lakh-70 lakh (ex-showroom). What are the exterior design highlights of the new Lexus ES? Outsizes current ES in every dimension The new ES looks significantly sharper and more futuristic than its predecessor, and is larger in every sense too. Measuring 5,140mm in length, 1,920mm in width, and 1,555-1,560mm in height, the new ES is 165mm longer, 55mm wider, and...

The Hunter 350 is the most accessible and affordable Royal Enfield model on sale. What engine does the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 use and what are the power figures? The bike uses the same engine seen in the Classic and Bullet 350 which is a 349cc, single-cylinder engine producing 20.2hp at 6,100rpm and a peak torque of 27Nm at 4,000rpm. This engine is mated to a five-speed gearbox and gets a slipper clutch as well. What is the fuel tank capacity, kerb weight and seat height of the Royal Enfield Hunter 350? The bike has a fuel tank capacity of 13 litres and a kerb weight of 181kg. The seat height stands at an accessible 790mm. What features does the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 get? The Hunter 350 is a simple bike but equipped with necessary features. It has a semi-digital instrument cluster that misses out on a tachometer, but on higher variants, the bike gets Royal Enfield’s Tripper navigation pod for turn-by-turn directions. It also gets dual-channel ABS and a slipper clutch, but m...

Badge engineering is a common strategy in India, with manufacturers sharing platforms, engines and even complete models to reduce development costs and expand their portfolios quickly. For instance, Maruti Suzuki -rebadged models accounted for 53 percent of Toyota India’s sales in FY2025.  However, sales differences between such twins can be significant, the Maruti Ertiga sold over nine times more than the Toyota Rumion, while the Toyota Innova Hycross outsold its Maruti counterpart, the Invicto, by about 18 times. Using full-year 2025 sales data, we compare some well-known badge-engineered twins in the Indian market to see which version buyers chose more often – and what might explain the difference. Maruti Baleno vs Toyota Glanza Car Units sold in 2025  Baleno 172556 Glanza 54440 Maruti sold 1,72,556 units of the Baleno during the year, compared to 54,440 units of the Toyota Glanza , meaning the Baleno sold a little over three times as man...

Everyone’s description of a perfect motorcycle is different. It depends on multiple factors like what sort of rider they are, what kind of terrain and riding conditions they have around them and what their idea of fun is. After having spent some superb seat time on the KTM 890 Adventure R and the 390 Adventure R (both of which you’ll get to read about in next month’s issue), I now have a good idea of what I want in my ‘perfect’ ADV. Effectively, it would be a motorcycle that finds a middle ground between the two. From the 890, there are three aspects. First, those Dakar rally bike style low-slung fuel tanks are a game changer for a big ADV – there’s no fat fuel tank ahead of you, and top heaviness just isn’t a thing. The second aspect would be as premium and capable a suspension as possible, and the third is a twin-cylinder engine. Single-cylinder motors get the job done well, but once you’ve experienced the sound, smoothness and character of a twin, it’s really hard to go back ...

Along with a comprehensive midlife refresh, Mahindra ’s flagship SUV now gets a new name – the XUV700 is now called the XUV 7XO . The powertrain options, however, remain unchanged: a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 2.2-litre diesel, both offered with 6-speed manual and automatic gearboxes. While the XUV 7XO is primarily front-wheel drive, the diesel also gets the option of all-wheel drive. We’ve finally got our hands on the turbo-petrol automatic variant and put it through our real-world fuel efficiency tests. The results, frankly, are unsurprising. Turbo-petrol engine gets auto stop-start function No drive modes are on offer with this engine option Mahindra XUV 7XO turbo-petrol AT real-world mileage test XUV 7XO turbo-petrol AT has an average fuel efficiency of 8.70kpl The XUV 7XO turbo-petrol is powered by a 203hp/380Nm 2.0-litre engine paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic. Mahindra hasn’t revealed official fuel efficiency figures yet. Unlike the diesel version, the...